Thermostatically controlled bathroom safety appliance

ABSTRACT

A bathroom safety appliance for use in conjunction with douche or enema means that are adapted to be connected directly to a bathroom faucet. The device includes thermostatically controlled means for dislodging a closure member to dump water passing through the device to the delivery nozzle so as to protect the user against discomfort or injury when the temperature of the water rises coactively a predetermined range.

United States Patent Lloyd Mar. 14, 1972 [54] THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED BATHROOM SAFETY APPLIANCE [72] Inventor: Harold B. Lloyd, 2037 S. Cedar St., Sioux City, Iowa 51 106 [221 Filed: on. s, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 78,010

[52] 111.5. Cl ..l37/467, 128/229, 137/468 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6k 31/411 [58] llield of Search 1 37/467, 468; 128/229, 248,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,292,673 8/1942 Taylor 128/229 X 2,954,046 9/1960 Lloyd ..137l467 3,229,693 1/1966 Lloyd 3,400,888 9/ 1968 Kosachefi ..236/93 Primary Examiner-I-Iarold W. Weakley Attorney-Kimmel, Crowell & Weaver [57] ABSTRA'CT A bathroom safety appliance for use in conjunction with douche or enema means that are adapted to be connected directly to a bathroom faucet. The device includes thermostatically controlled means for dislodging a closure member to dump water passing through the device to the delivery nozzle so as to protect the user against discomfort or injury when the temperature of the water rises coactively a predetermined range.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED A 14 I97? 3, 648 724 INVENTOR HAROLD B. LLOYD kimpu M ATTORNEYS THERMOSTATICAILLY CONTROLLED BATHROOM SAFETY APPLIANCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to safety devices used in connection with human irrigation nozzles that are adapted to be attached directly to a bathroom faucet. The device is interposed'in the line between the bathroom faucet and the nozzle means so that water passes therethrough. Thermostatic controlled operating means are provided in the device whereby if the temperature of the water passing through the device goes above a predetermined temperature, the operating means will be operated to open a valve or closure member to release the water therefrom so that it cannot pass to the nozzle whereby the user is protected against the effects of water that is too hot.

2. Description of the Prior Art The applicants own prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,046, issued Sept. 27, 1960 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,693, issued Jan. 18, 1966 represent the closest prior art known to the applicant. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,046, a horizontally disposed bellows, operating in a horizontal direction, engages a vertically disposed latch member to move the latch member to unlatching position, whereby a hinged closure at the bottom of the device will be released to effect dumping of the water. U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,693 is along generally similar lines to U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,046, with the exception that a slightly different latching arrangement is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the use of irrigating devices for personal hygiene purposes, such as in douches, and for medical purposes, such as the treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids, etc., it has been found desirable, for many reasons, to be able to supply water directly to the delivery nozzle from a water faucet instead of placing the treatment water in a storage receptacle or bag prior to delivery. One of the advantages of using water directly from the house plumbing system is that greater pressure is available. Another advantage lies in the fact that the dripping and spillage sometimes encountered with the use of a storage bag or receptacle is avoided. Usually, the water in a direct delivery system is an admixture of hot and cold water from the plumbing system of the house or building and the temperature is supposed to be adjusted before use of the device is commenced. For various reasons, however, the temperature of the hot water can vary, and in some instances, during usage, will increase to the extent where the user of the irrigation device may be subjected to either discomfort or, in some instances, actual physical injury.

To avoid potential injury or discomfort, thermostatically controlled bathroom appliances of the types shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,954,046 and 3,229,693 were developed. Water for the irrigating device flowed from the faucet into these appliances and from the appliance to the irrigation nozzle. If the temperature of the water coming from the faucet reached a predetermined temperature, a thermostatic bellows was expanded to operate a latch to permit the opening of a closure so that the water would be dumped directly into the basin or bathtub and could not be delivered to the irrigation nozzle to cause injury or discomfort to the user. Usually the tempera ture at which the thermostat should be actuated is around I07 to 108 F. since water above this temperature has been found to make most users uncomfortable. The devices of these prior patents were rather complex and somewhat expensive to manufacture.

This invention has as one of its primary objects the provision of a bathroom appliance which utilizes the pressure of the water in the appliance in combination with the force of the bellows operating device, whereby a quicker and more positive release of the water can be achieved.

A further object is the provision of a bathroom appliance of this type in which a more effective seal can be used whereby leakage from the device will be eliminated or substantially reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type having simpler, more effective and more easily accessible means for adjusting or regulating the temperature at which the thermostatic control means will be operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bathroom safety appliance that is attractive in appearance, compact, lightweight, can be easily stored and is safe and reliable in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this type that can be more easily reset or placed in operative condition after excessive water temperature has caused the closure member to be opened for dumping action.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a bathroom appliance of this type which is noncomplex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and which is rugged and durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more manifest from a consideration of the following specification when read in the light of the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bathroom appliance;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partially broken away and partially in cross section, of the device with the closure member in place;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention, taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in cross section, of the receptacle with the operating rod in the initial phase of displacing the closure member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more specifically to the drawing, reference numeral designates, in general, the protective bathroom device of this invention. The bathroom protective device is seen to comprise a hollow receptacle II of an inverted, generally conical, truncated shape and having a side wall 12, a top wall 114 and an opening 16 coextensive with the bottom thereof. The side wall 12 is flared outwardly as at 18 on the inner side thereof at the bottom, and is provided with an integral outwardly extending peripheral enlarged or bulbous reinforcing portion as at 21 and an integral outwardly extending peripheral locking flange 20. The hollow receptacle II can be made of plastic or other relatively rigid material and can be manufactured by molding or by other means. A closure member 22 is provided. The closure member 22 is made of flexible resilient plastic or other material and has a peripheral, upstanding flange 24 formed integrally therewith, with an inwardly extending locking lip 26 being formed on the upper surface of flange 24. The closure member 22 is normally positioned on the bottom of the bathroom protective device, closing opening 16, with the locking flange 20 and locking lip 26 cooperating to hold the closure member 22 in place. An obliquely disposed support member or bracket 28 is fixedly secured to the interior of the protective device 10 by means such as screws 30 or like fastening means. The support member 29 has an opening 32 therein. A bellows type thermostat 34 has a threaded fastening member 36 attached to the upper surface thereof, as by soldering (not shown), with the fastening member 36 being received in the opening 32 for adjustably mounting the bellows thennostat 34. A screw threaded opening 38 is provided in the bottom of the thermostat. Operating rod 40, having screw threads 42, is threadedly engaged in opening 38 and an adjusting limit nut 44 is disposed on the operating rod for permitting longitudinal adjustment of the operating rod. The operating rod 40 is tapered or reduced as it approaches the lower end thereof, as at 46. The bellows type thermostat 34 and operating rod 40 are disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to bracket 28, and the lower end of the operating rod is disposed adjacent to or against closure member 22 at :a point adjacent to the outer edge thereof.

The top wall 14 is provided with a screw threaded opening 48. An upstanding tubular inlet member 50 having threads 52 is threadedly engaged in opening 48. lnlet member 50 has a plurality of integral, outwardly extending spaced rings 54 adjacent the top thereof for gripping or sealing purposes. A flexible, hollow, inverted conical connector 56 is provided, having an opening 58 at the top and opening 60 at the bottom thereof. The top of inlet member 50 is received in the opening 60 with the spaced rings 54 serving to effect sealing action. A bathroom faucet (not shown) is adapted to be fitted through opening 58 for delivering water to the interior of protective device 10. Grooves 62 on the interior of conical connector 56 assist in holding the connector on the faucet and sealing the connection therebetween. Water passing from the faucet through inlet member 50 will impinge against support member 28, whereby the initial force of water entering protective device will be dissipated and will not be applied directly against closure member 22. Top member 14 is provided with a second screw threaded opening 64 therethrough. An. upstanding tubular outlet member 66 having screw threads 68 is threadedly engaged in opening 64. Outlet member 66 has a plurality of integral, outwardly extending spaced sealing rings 70 formed thereon. Outlet member 66 is adapted to receive one end of a flexible tube (not shown) for transporting water to a syringe (not shown) on the other end of the tube. Rings 70 assist in effecting a seal between outlet member 66 and the one end of the flexible tube.

in the use of the device, conical connector 56 is attached to a faucet (not shown). The faucet is turned on whereby water can flow into protective device 10 through inlet member 50. When the protective device 10 is filled, water will then flow out of the device through outlet member 66 and through the tube (not shown) to the irrigating device or nozzle (not shown). The general position of the bathroom safety appliance between the faucet and the tubing leading to the irrigating nozzle would be the same as shown in FIG. 1 of US. Pat. No. 3,229,693 (referred to herein).

The temperature responsive power member (bellows 34) will expand if the temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined degree. The point at which the operating rod 40 will commence to move closure member 22 can be varied by loosening the stop nut 44 and screwing the operating rod 40 either inwardly or outwardly. When the temperature of the water reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature, the bellows will expand, forcing the operating rod 40 downwardly against the closure member 22 at a point close to the edge thereof. This will cause the closure member 22, the wall 24, and the locking lip 26 to be deformed and moved outwardly with respect to locking flange in the immediate vicinity of the point where pressure is applied by the lower end of the operating rod. This is best shown in FIG. 4. As soon as this distortion occurs, the pressure of the water in the interior of the protective device 10 impinging on the distended portion of the closure member 22 will assist the operating rod 40 in displacing the closure member 22. It has been found that the opening movement of the instant invention is quicker, more reliable, and can be effected with less operating power than was required with applicants prior devices shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,954,046 and 3,229,692. Further, as will be apparent, the present device requires fewer parts, is easier to assemble, and gives more positive operation than other known prior art devices.

Having described and illustrated the invention in detail, it will be understood that the invention herein described is merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l A bathroom safety appliance adapted to be connected between a water faucet and a flexible tube leading to an irrigation nozzle, said appliance comprising:

a hollow receptacle having a top wall, a side wall and an open bottom; an inlet pipe extending into said receptacle;

connector means for connecting said inlet pipe to said water faucet;

an outlet pipe extending out of said receptacle for connection to said flexible tube;

a resilient closure member for said open bottom, said closure member being detachably secured to said receptacle;

temperature responsive power means;

support means in said receptacle upon which said temperature responsive means are mounted, and

an operating rod having a pair of opposed ends, one end of said rod being connected to said temperature responsive power means for movement thereby upon an increase in temperature beyond a predetermined point, and the other end of said operating rod being disposed adjacent to said closure member, whereby said rod will be moved to force said closure member off of said receptacle when said predetermined temperature is reached.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe extend through said top wall of said receptacle.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said support means is obliquely disposed with respect to and secured to the opposite faces of said side wall and is disposed beneath said inlet pipe to prevent incoming water from being discharged directly against said closure member.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which an integral outwardly extending peripheral locking flange is formed on the outside of the side wall of said receptacle adjacent the open bottom thereof;

an upstanding peripheral flange is integrally formed on said resilient closure member; and

an inwardly extending locking lip is formed on the inner side of said upstanding peripheral flange for cooperation with said locking flange on said receptacle to normally retain said closure member on said receptacle.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member.

6. A device as set forth in claim'3 wherein said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member.

7. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member.

8. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said temperature responsive power means and said operating rod are disposed at right angles to said support means and said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member at an oblique angle so that, when actuated, the force exerted by said other end of said operating rod will be in an outward and downward direction.

9. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein adjusting means are provided to control the position of said other end of said operating rod with respect to said closure member.

10. A bathroom safety appliance adapted to be connected between a water faucet and a flexible tube leading to an irrigation nozzle, said appliance comprising:

a generally cylindrical hollow receptacle having a top wall, a side wall, an open bottom, and an outwardly extending locking flange integrally formed on the outer side of said side wall adjacent the bottom thereof;

an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe extending through said top wall of said receptacle for connection to said faucet and said tubing respectively;

a resilient closure member for said open bottom having an upstanding peripheral flange with an inwardly extending locking lip integrally formed thereon for cooperation with said locking flange;

an obliquely disposed support member secured to the side wall of said receptacle;

temperature responsive power means depending from and secured to said support means at substantially a right angle thereto, and

an operating rod having one end thereof secured to said temperature responsive power means for movement thereby, with the other end of said operating rod being disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent the outer edge thereof and at an angle whereby the 5 force exerted by said temperature responsive power means, when actuated, will be in an outward and downward direction with respect to said closure means. 

1. A bathroom safety appliance adapted to be connected between a water faucet and a flexible tube leading to an irrigation nozzle, said appliance comprising: a hollow receptacle having a top wall, a side wall and an open bottom; an inlet pipe extending into said receptacle; connector means for connecting said inlet pipe to said water faucet; an outlet pipe extending out of said receptacle for connection to said flexible tube; a resilient closure member for said open bottom, said closure member being detachably secured to said receptacle; temperature responsive power means; support means in said receptacle upon which said temperature responsive means are mounted, and an operating rod having a pair of opposed ends, one end of said rod being connected to said temperature responsive power means for movement thereby upon an increase in temperature beyond a predetermined point, and the other end of said operating rod being disposed adjacent to said closure member, whereby said rod will be moved to force said closure member off of said receptacle when said predetermined temperature is reached.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe extend through said top wall of said receptacle.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said support means is obliquely disposed with respect to and secured to the opposite faces of said side wall and is disposed beneath said inlet pipe to prevent incoming water from being discharged directly against said closure member.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which an integral outwardly extending peripheral locking flange is formed on the outside of the side wall of said receptacle adjacent the open bottom thereof; an upstanding peripheral flange is integrally formed on said resilient closure member; and an inwardly extending locking lip is formed on the inner side of said upstanding peripheral flange for cooperation with said locking flange on said receptacle to normally retain said closure member on said receptacle.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said temperature responsive power means and said operating rod are disposed at right angles to said support means and said other end of said operating rod is disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent to the outer edge of said closure member at an oblique angle so that, when actuated, the force exerted by said other end of said operating rod will be in an outward and downward directiOn.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein adjusting means are provided to control the position of said other end of said operating rod with respect to said closure member.
 10. A bathroom safety appliance adapted to be connected between a water faucet and a flexible tube leading to an irrigation nozzle, said appliance comprising: a generally cylindrical hollow receptacle having a top wall, a side wall, an open bottom, and an outwardly extending locking flange integrally formed on the outer side of said side wall adjacent the bottom thereof; an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe extending through said top wall of said receptacle for connection to said faucet and said tubing respectively; a resilient closure member for said open bottom having an upstanding peripheral flange with an inwardly extending locking lip integrally formed thereon for cooperation with said locking flange; an obliquely disposed support member secured to the side wall of said receptacle; temperature responsive power means depending from and secured to said support means at substantially a right angle thereto, and an operating rod having one end thereof secured to said temperature responsive power means for movement thereby, with the other end of said operating rod being disposed adjacent to said closure member at a point adjacent the outer edge thereof and at an angle whereby the force exerted by said temperature responsive power means, when actuated, will be in an outward and downward direction with respect to said closure means. 